Avatar, I was bored at work and started to wander what Latvia was like, care to share some details about your country?

ex-warsaw pact eastern bloc satelitte state of the Soviet Union. Now democratic capitalist government. Its in asia...somewhere.
(i was bored too, so i thought i would invade this private thread for you two.:D) sorry. :(

Its not in Asia. Its in Eastern Europe

stuff that we cant get on national geographic or the newspapers tho

so ......fads ,trends, top ten, hot actresses/singers/models, deviant latvian sexual practices, scandals,drugs etc
also a link to a popular online latvian paper) english of course

thank you
:D

sorry, my mistake. Whatever was i thinking? i'm too tired, my brain is'nt functioning properly, i even said: eastern-bloc. sorry. :bugeye: :D

Well, Avatar will make everything clear

choose your option

>culture
>history
>economy
>politics
>nature
>society
>misc


choose your pick
I will list sub categories then or tell about whole
-------------
ex-warsaw pact eastern bloc satelitte state of the Soviet Union. Now democratic capitalist government.
we also were a free democratic republic from 1918-1945 when russians took over

cmon a dark secret please

cool, tell me more. :) you've got me interested now, i like learning about other countries.

I know it's not on the list, but how about revealing some Country Secrets? :D

In ancient times , most latvians lived in seperate houses/farms with their family members slaves (slaves always were war prissoners, never latvians). Everyone lived far from each other and there was no feudal system.
There were war lords who lived in their castles , but they also lived with their relatives and their warriors. There were no strangers hanging around. The servants and maids were a part of community , even slaves. At that time in Latvia there was more human rights than anywhere in Europe. If anybody required a protection , then he could build his house by the warrlords castle and pay a tax for protextion. (in natural resources mostly). There was no system of taking peaceful folk under their control, because as I noted warlords were like heads of their community and everyone had their duty. Warriors/men who lived with the warlord did all the agricultural works, their wives did the sewing etc- [in european feudal system, soldiers thought that it is under their honour to dig ground so they needed ppl to do their work for them- feed them]- so in Latvia (also Lithuania) warlords and soldiers didn't opress peaceful folk, because it wasn't needed, because they did all the work for themselves. Thus no governmental system formed. There were only "Krivi" - wise old men, who did the rare rituals needed to do before major battles [ the most well known is the horse of faith- they took a white horse and led it over a wooden branch. If the horse stepped over the branch with it's right leg, then the warlord will have success in his planned battle or any other strategy, major plans, if it stepped over the branch with it's left leg- then the warrlord should better stay home -I'm not sure about the legs/left.right/, I will verify that-] but " krivi "well mostly like advisors and lived in sacred forests (in sacred forests you couldn't chop wood, or hunt , or battle--- even until nowadays latvians have a very - duno how to say- sacred feelings about forests and most feel them like sanctuary........since russians came our culture has suffered much, but there are many who still honour the old traditions, values and give them to children- - I'll write a post about Ligo- our midsummers fest , that is being held to this day and is a national holiday and I can proudly tell that no less than 80% of latvians still fest them as it was in ancient times.) and didn't do almost any politics .
Everyone lived for themselves - if intruders came, then warlords usually battled each for their own.
Due to this our people have suffered a lot, because it was almost impossible to unite all warlords for one major strike- it made us more vunlnurable and unfortunately later led to our enslavement by Germans. It took them almost 200 years though from 1201.
(but when we did unite- there was the great battle of Saule, where we destroyed all German crusaders that were in our country, but I'll return to it more deeply in another post if anybody wants)
Even nowadays latvians like to be alone (a very specific and well seen charecteristic). We hardly make new friends, but when we do, then they're blood friends to life and death and we get terribly upset and angry if they turn against us.
We also don't like our far relatives (thus is our nature), because we don't trust them and don't like other people company.

more about politics, more about politics! :)
i'm off to bed now, tis very late and i'm tired. thank you avatar for enlightening us of your country. although i'm sure there is much more you can tell. :D

I can tell about politics- yes
I know a lot about our politics from inside, beause of my father- but I never liked them- mostly boring as all politics in all countries - IMHO
but it's 2:49AM here, so more probable I will write about politics in the morning

anyone else would like to know smthing specific?

Originally posted by Captain_Crunch
Its in asia...somewhere.

some people think only Americans have monopoly in stupidity.....

(but when we did unite- there was the great battle of Saule, where we destroyed all German crusaders that were in our country, but I'll return to it more deeply in another post if anybody wants)

Sounds interesting Avatar!

krivi - sounds druidic

are you guys celtic?

what about tartan and bagpipes? whats the connection?

do you have any historical accounts or myths of migrations to the british isles?

latvian names in tobago!:D

any oldtimers there still refer to latvia as livonia or is that considered heresy? ;)

what about tribes? are there distinctions b/w peoples?

your peoples achievements in the face of incredible adversity is amazing!

thank you in advance!

:)

I'll reply to spookz now , because Odins question takes more time (in the morning Odin 4:15AM now)

==============
krivi - sounds druidic
==============

maybe- I don't know

==============
are you guys celtic?
==============
no - we're Balts- baltic

======================================
what about tartan and bagpipes? whats the connection?
=======================================
not sure about that. Our bagpies differ from the Scotish ones. thei're smaller, made from skin and you can play it a lot longer than Scotish ones, because it doesn't take much air. Bagpies or duudas in latvian have been used around here as long as we have been here. a very ancient instrument. Maybe the Scots took it from us when they marched forward South.

=======================================
do you have any historical accounts or myths of migrations to the british isles
=======================================
no- no Balts are ever recorded to migrate to the British isles

=======================================
latvian names in tobago!
=======================================
didn't understand the question.
it's an ancient colony of the Kurzemes princedom.
established by Duke Jekabs in 18th century

=======================================
any oldtimers there still refer to latvia as livonia? (or is that a different place)
======================================
quite funny - yes.
there is african-latvian community there:D
latvian quire lol
some latvians also live there
Tobago sells cheap land for latvians who would like to settle there also. some have used the offer.
=======================================
what about tribes? are there distinctions b/w peoples?
=======================================
physical- no
cultural- slightly

there are traits of character still visable today.
basically in latvia there are 3 "tribes" of Balts and one
Finno-Ugric tribe. We don't live in tribes, but that what is visible till today (personal charectreistics, some rituals, different words)
3 Baltic "tribes" in Latvia are Latgali, Zemgali, Kurshi/Liivi.
the Finno-Ugric is Liibieshi [Livians in english](small ammount of people, have lived here since the ice age, when Balts came from (supposedly) Balkans to this area)

in ancient times the Balt tribes which inhabited the territory of the present day Latvia were Selonians, Semgallians, Couronians, Latgallians.
===================================

good night...

English people are Anglo Saxon,I think they came from the German tribes!

This is very interesting Avatar

Hey Avatar and all interesteds,
Latvia, i have questions about too! Its not often one gets first-hand information about obscure (no offense intended) countries like Latvia. For better or for worse, most people in the world know, or have some idea, about life in the USA (or Britain, France, any other highly urbanized place), but unless you take an interest in other countries, hardly anybody here knows about other places in the world.

So, down to my questions. What do young Latvian-folk do for fun in your country? Skate, bike, smoke pot, climb mountains, play video games, what?

Is there alot of crime where you live, and in Latvia in general?

How does your school system work, how long do you have to go for?

Whats the food like? I mean, whats a typical meal consist of, really?

Hey thanks for the awesome info so far..Latvia sounds pretty damn cool. :cool:

i just thought i would tell you all that i have now ignored Joeman as he makes these forums an unpleasant place with his constant attacking of me. To argue with him would just be lowering myself to his level but i'm better than that. :rolleyes:
Avatar - i'm eagerly waiting a responce :D :)
i have an easy question for you....how many hours is Latvia behind/infront of GMT because i cant find the time zone it is in?. :confused:

Where is it?! :confused:

What are the roots of the language?

Originally posted by Captain_Crunch
i just thought i would tell you all that i have now ignored Joeman as he makes these forums an unpleasant place with his constant attacking of me.

I wasn't attacking you. You are way too sensitive. I just used you as an example to counter the stereotype against Americans.

If people here don't say Americans are stupid and ignorant, I wouldn't have mentioned it.

Also I didn't make this place unpleasant. I only make you unpleasant and couple others.

What do young Latvian-folk do for fun in your country?
=====================================
same as everywhere I think. we don't live in caves lol
mostly hip-hop, skate boarding, partyes, drag racing, also computer games
also we have a big drinking problem over here.
and it's even worse with the girls:(
=========================================
Is there alot of crime where you live, and in Latvia in general?
=========================================
as in every country. nothing extreme... a lot of cases when overdozed narcomans attack though

===============================================
How does your school system work, how long do you have to go for?
===============================================
you can go to kindergarten if you wnat. school starts in 6 or 7 years (you can choose)
I was the smartass and chose 7 hehehe
you learn up to form 9 and then you have to do a state exam. Later you advance to forms 10-12.. After that you can go to university .... or army.
===============================================
Whats the food like? I mean, whats a typical meal consist of, really?
=============================================
my sister lives in UK and she says that she can cry, when thinks of our food that isn't available there. Also my friend from Italy said , he likes our kitchen more than his.
the key secret is 110% natural. Many don't use presrvatives and chemicals, because they have no money for them. Also here people don't buy fishstiks, McDonald is also quite unpopular.
People less and less buy coke. We have our own national drink "kvass". It's a lot like soft drinks only with more natural ingredients.
So yeah- our food is quite good. Many people from other countries really like it.
typical meal- hmmmm- we don't have usually first course, second and so on.
usual dinner- rissoles with boiled patatoes, cucmber or tomatoe salad with sour creem or
sour preserved cucumbers (they are put in jars with viniegar, parsleys and whole buch of other greens and held for some months or so.


timezone- GMT + 2.00

Why don't you have a decent football team?? :p

I find this all very interesting, please keep it up.

Originally posted by Deepuz
Why don't you have a decent football team?? :p

They have superstar Marian Pahars in Southhampton. I probably know more about Latvian football than he does.

Originally posted by Firefly
Where is it?! :confused:

What are the roots of the language?
http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_map/europe.gif

Our language has dirrect roots in sanskrit and ours and Lithuanian languages are the most ancient from all indoeuropean languages that have survived to this day

after the fall of USSR nationalistic partyes took over. then formed the liberal partyes .
From 1991 we have had Mostly right wing partyes or partyes who weren't/aren't left in power.
The lef wing partyes are all communists who left over after the fall of ussr and lead anti-national/latvia possition. They want us back under thee full infuence of Russia and of course the return of old times. Three biggest partyes are funded by Russian communists (not openly of course).
Then there are two rich dudes- one controls the oild transport through our country, the other controls the food production. They both are big gamers in politics and fund the partyes [the food one Andris Skele even has his own party) which are at power. That oil dude Lembergs also funds one left party.
The left wingers use our overstructuring period which is hard and not all is sored out yet, against the power partyes. They won in the previous self government elections of our capital. They have a mayor now. I'm happy that they have screwed up so many things, that nobody hopefully will want to vote for them in main elections held this year (October). They are a good opposition party, but they suck when they have power. It was even said by one of their founders in 1920s.
So mostly we have here battles between left and right wingers. Left wingers i.e. communists have large support because of the big russian community here - about 38% :(. That's the result ov russian emigrant policies- they sent to the far north or killed about million latvians (then it was 1/3 of our population) and sent in a lot of russians. Now our population is 2.3 million and ~38% are russians :mad:

==================
point out smthing specific you want to hear more about

Football is not so popular in our country HOCKEY is.
even if our hockey team loses and screws everything up- people and I cheer about them. Unexplainable.lol

when our team won Russia with all their NHL stars - that kind of party wasn't ever before in Latvia. Everybody was going by strrets and singing our national anthem, also our hockey song lol
olee olee olee olee olee olee Latvia , victory....lol it's our second anthem. Then we formed a large procession and put flowers by the russian embassy:D
that was a great day

Now post some pictures of cute Latvian actresses or supermodels. LOL. :D

I don't watch tv, therefore I don't know the names of such.

From: http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=LAT

Population 1,394,000 in Latvia including over 500,000 Latgalians.

Population total all countries 1,500,000 (1995 V. Zeps).

Region Also spoken in Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, New Zealand, Russia (Europe), Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA, Venezuela.

Alternate names LATVISKA, 'LETTISH', 'LETTISCH'

Dialects WEST LATVIAN (CENTRAL LATVIAN), EAST LATVIAN (HIGH LATVIAN, LATGALIAN).

Classification Indo-European, Baltic, Eastern.

Comments Tamian is a subdialect of Central Latvian. Latvians do not like the term 'Lettish.' National language. Grammar. Roman script. Christian. Bible 1689-1995.



More info. (http://www.ethnologue.com/family_index.asp)
And yet mroe info. (http://www.ethnologue.com/show_family.asp?name=Indo%2DEuropean&subid=629)

i hadnt really heard of Latvia before this thread apart when avatar was telling where he was from but it sounds an interesting place, i want to visit it one day.

Same here actually. Although i do plan on seeing just about every country that doesnt have any political strife or other military action going on at the time..

"Interactions with Lithuanians on an official level can be somewhat of a harrowing experience. They are often rude, curt and generally unfriendly. Expect a similar reaction if you are identified as a stranger‚ a foreigner. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you are considered a friend, relative or someone who deserves help or attention, the experience can be amazingly and sometimes almost overwhelmingly hospitable. Lithuanians will open up their homes and hearts. Its a difficult dichotomy to accept, especially since the difference can be so drastic. I'm convinced foreign "experts", coming to Lithuania, could walk away with a completely different impression of Lithuania, especially if all they see are the public spaces and are limited to formal interactions.

Lithuanians are not public people. After 50 years of oppression, the public sphere has been severely damaged. People stroll cobble-stone streets without daring to make any sign of personal expression. Of course, this affects day to day interactions. Since I am currently residing in a country that considers complaining a national pastime I'll allow myself a gripe or two relating to the dehumanizing way individuals are still allowed to treat one another in a country that is supposedly moving towards a democratic society."

can i replace lithuanians with latvians?

Lithuanians are from a different country..

Edit: Disregard the above! A read below :)

Does this mean Americans can be called Canadians, and vice-versa?

yes you can , spookz:) :grin:
Although they are a different country our languages are alike , we both are balts and our tribes in ancient times lived together. Like a big family that was torn apart , when Germans and even more when Russians came.

Our character traits and traditions are very alike.
and we are quite friendly towards each other

i was a "young latvian" in a previous life!

:D :D

my next project is to connect you guys to the scots (ancient or otherwise)
;)

some latvian dainas (songs)
http://www.latviansonline.com/video/index.shtml

you can't do that!
we are quite different.
bagpies are also different, culture is different.
we have nothing in common
Latvians do not like the term 'Lettish
and you know why?
because it's a dirrect translation from the russian

There Bagpipes,from Avatars description sound more like Irish Bagpipes Than Scots ones!
:rolleyes:

whatever- scotish, irish- Balts have never had any business with them.

- I haven't forgotten about the battle of Saule odin. I started it and there's nothing much t tell, just have to find specific translations to english for german knights association:D (no - not templars, although they show up)

bonus-
Bagpipes (latvian) are made of unadulterated stripped skin (sheep, calf, pig, dog, feline and other), turned out to underside. At the ends of the forelegs, the tube of cart of air and the pipe of melody are placed, at the ends of the backlegs - one or two burdon pipes.
Player keeps a bagpipe in his armpit and sqeazes it. The compressed air leaving oscillates the reed and creates a sound. By pressing of the elbow the player supports in bagpipe even pressure and, by this, even height of the sound.

Many of foreign sources put all the fame to the Lithuanians. Somehow Lithuanians and Latvians don't do it because for the following reasons lazy foreign historians failed to notice.
The battle of Saule (a location, also saule is =sun) is a location in the territory of Latvia and it has always been like it . Besides then there weren't nations as now. There were baltic tribes and some of them fought in the battle of Saule- not Lithuanians , not Latvians , but the tribes that lived in that area.
They wiped out all Order of Sword (german knights) with smaller rank warriors (16k in total) except for one knight with his servant (he was killed later).

Ringaud was a great Lithuanian warlord, some call him king.


I wanted to write a longer response, but then remembered this song by SKYFORGER (http://www.skyforger.lv) :)
(folk metal band)


The Battle Of Saule

Sit down, wayfarer, by the riverside
take a look beyond
see the level field
on the other side of stream

Where a quiet ploughman
slowly tilling his land
in olden times there raged a battle
many thousands meet their death

Over there the power of the order of sword was razed to the ground
Lithuanians side by side with Semigalls a great victory then found

In the battle of Saule
Where Ringaud hailed the victory
at the battlefield of Saule
the bones of Christians are rotting in the ground

Through the dark forests by stealth
has Ringaud rushed with his men
on the way to this bloody feast
has called the Semigalls to join them

Perkon! The almighty forefathers' god
Who crashes the bolts from the sky
by whom the earth and the air is trembling
please, help us to conquer this fighting

Meister Folkvin and the whole Order of Sword for ever fell asleep,
by the Semigalls some coward who tried to escape in Riga was killed

The Battle of Saule, by the river Memele
most splendid of the Ringaud's victories
when passing by this place, wayfarer,


===============
I have all the facts of how they marched, detailed followup and more details, but it's a long and complicated text in Latvian and I'm not sure if it's very interesting to "outsiders" :p . I'm lazy:(:rolleyes:
I'll read it through once more

DAINAS - ANCIENT FOLKSONGS OF LATVIA

http://www.isandis.com/lejascms.jpg
Latvian Plaid from Lejasciems, Latvia
Similar to Scottish & Tocharian Plaids

Did you know that the ancient Latvians, like the Scots, had bagpipes? or that weaving patterns in Scottish tartans have great similarities to ancient Latvian plaids? See the graphic above. The pictured Latvian plaid is nearly identical to an ancient Tocharian plaid - ancient European mummies of which have been found in China. Did these ancient peoples share a common origin? [For the linguistic tartans compare Latvian terpins, dim. for terps meaning "tartan", all probably derived from a term similar to Latvian dariba, darina (drana), darita, daritins meaning "worked (product)"), whence Latvian drebes "cloth" and English drapes. The Scottish kilt compares to Latvian kleita ("dress").]

It is perhaps not without reason that Paul Dunbavin, in his book Picts and Ancient Britons: An Exploration of Pictish Origins, suggests on the basis of still further evidence, "that the Picts were ... immigrants from the Baltic." Looking back even further in time, archaeology and a study of ancient skull types clearly shows similar Mesolithic humans (ca. 8000 BC) among the Magdalenians (the cave painters of Lascaux, France), the ancient people of Normandy, Scandinavia, the middle European lowland and Latvia. See Raisa Denisova, The Most Ancient Population of Latvia and Ilze Loze, Indo- Europeans in the Eastern Baltic in the View of an Archaeologist.

Hence, the culture and traditions of the Baltic peoples take on a greater importance for those who wish to study the origins of the cultures of the British Isles and of Western Civilization.

One of the important remnants of ancient Baltic culture is formed by the DAINAS. The word "DAINAS" in Latvian is pronounced exactly like the English "DYNAS" in DYNASTY. The Dainas are unique ancient Latvian "folksongs in verse form - originally intended to be sung". The Dainas relate epic, mythical, astronomical and cultural information. One such verse or "Daina" generally consists of four lines of unrhymed trochaic text (one long syllable followed by one short syllable, etc.).

The Dainas have been passed down over the millennia by oral tradition and cover all aspects of ancient Baltic life, mythology and astronomy. Dainas are called Dainos in Lithuania - where they are far less frequent. In Latvia, the Dainas are most frequent in the highlands. Comparables to the Dainas outside the Baltic are perhaps only found in ancient Mesopotamia in the most ancient Sumerian and Akkadian pantheon. An example is the Agushaya Hymn (Agushaya possibly = Latvian Augšaja "(on) the highest"), an ancient song text which was the dissertation subject of Orientalist Wolfram von Soden, who at that time could not have been aware of any possible Baltic connection. A number of lines in the Sumerian-Akkadian Agushaya Hymn bear strong similarity to texts STILL found nearly unaltered in the Latvian Dainas.

As noted by Hans Rychener, in his book "...und Estland, Lettland, Litauen?", Herbert Lang, Berlin, 1975, p. 24: "The myths of the Lithuanians and Latvians...remind one of the belief systems of the ancient Hindus and Greeks."

Robert Payne, in "The Green Linden, Selected Lithuanian Folk-songs", Voyages Press, N.Y., 1964, writes: "The dainos...represent a form of poetry as ancient as anything on this earth.... They have a beauty and pure primitive splendor above anything I know in Western literature, except the early songs of the Greek Islanders. They seem to have been written at the morning of the world, and the dew is still on them."

Hermanis Rathfelders, in his many writings in Acta Baltica, wrote that the Latvian Dainas were extremely ancient, preceding the milling of grain, so that the mythological and astronomical Dainas may reach back many thousands of years in time.

Oral Tradition and the Dainas

The Dainas as ancient verses were handed down through oral tradition from generation to generation in Latvia, often at great cost.

During one stage of German occupation of Latvia in the 16th century, women caught reciting the Dainas were burned at the stake as witches, which only solidified the cultural resistance more than ever.

In the 18th century the famous German writers Johann Gottfried von Herder and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe devoted serious attention to the Latvian Dainas, which surely helped to generate Herder's interest in his later "Essay on the Origin of Language", as well as "Oldest Records of the Human Race" and his collection of Folk Songs ("Volkslieder").

Through his contact with the Latvian Dainas, Herder may also have developed his theory that the poetry of legend was the "soul of history" - or, as written in the Encyclopaedia Britannica "[Herder] considered poetry to spring from the natural and historical environment" of man. At the end of his life, Herder was thus a great opponent of the modern developing "classical movement" in German literature, which estranged poetry from its place as a historical record, leading to a modern misinterpretation of antique sources which has persisted down to the present day, not just in Mesopotamia, but also in the misinterpretation of the Dainas.

Krišjanis Barons and the Dainas

In 1878 a group of Latvian intellectuals in Moscow decided to collect and publish the "best" of the Latvian Dainas, not fully realizing the immensity of the task before them. They had no idea that so many Dainas existed. The last volume of their collection, Latvju Dainas, was thus in fact published in St. Petersburg only 40 years later. [See Archives of Latvian Folklore]

The best known of the three initial "collectors" of Dainas is Krišjanis Barons, who was the main coordinator of the project to collect, classify and publish the Dainas. Barons was born on October 31, 1835 in Latvia. He attended schools in Dundaga (German Dondangen), Kurzeme (German Kurland viz. Courland), Ventspils (German Windau) and Jelgava (German Mitau). From 1856 to 1860 he studied mathematics and astronomy in Tartu (German Dorpat), Estonia (German Estland). When Barons passed away on March 8, 1923, he was celebrated by thousands as a national hero, for having collected 35,800 Dainas, including 182,000 variants, for a total of 217,800 verses.

But this was not the end of the matter. Collection of Dainas continued through the 20th century, and there are now a total of ca. 2,000,000 (two million) collected verses, counting variants. As written by Vilmos Voigt, it is the greatest such collection of ancient folksongs in the world - and yet the population of Latvians in Latvia has never exceeded 2,000,000 people, so this must be a very old tradition.

Barons dealt with the Dainas over decades and thus began to understand their essence. He wisely organized the Dainas according to the events of the mythical, astronomical and agricultural year - to which their content is in fact well suited and from which they surely originated. One of the Dainas even speaks of "ice hills" - perhaps glaciers of the most recent glacial period - so that the Dainas may be among the oldest human records.

The DAINAS presented here are selected from and adapted from the 12-volume Latviešu Tautas Dziesmas (Chansons Populaires Lettonnes), Imanta Publishers, Copenhagen, 1952-1956, ed. A. Švabe, K. Straubergs and E. Hauzenberga-Šturma. These volumes followed the Barons system of classification for the Dainas. Dainas were grouped by assigned subject matter and each "basic unique" Daina was assigned a number starting with 1 and today reaching about 60,000, not counting the variants, which bring the total to well over 2,000,000. This classification system is retained on this web site.

A new edition of the Dainas is being prepared by linguists in Latvia according to a new system of classification [See LTK, "Das bäuerliche Jahr im Volkslied", Deutsche Tagespost, No. 85, p. 10, July 16, 1985]. If the new system departs from the ancient scheme of calendric feasts and astronomical events in favor of "modern" views of poetry (such as Herder correctly opposed) - the new compilation may well be less "authentic" than the older versions, and thus less useful for historical study. But we shall see.

All English translations and interpretations of the Dainas on this site, unless otherwise noted, are by Andis Kaulins, J.D. Stanford University; FFA Lecturer emeritus, University of Trier, Germany; Author, Langenscheidt Fachverlag. I find it interesting that ALL the kings of England up to the present generation can be traced back by royal blood to CEAWLIN, who was not only King of the West Saxons (Wessex) 560-592 AD but - according to the historian Bede - was also bretwalda of England south of the Humber (Kingston upon Hull). Bretwalda meant "Brit-ruler, overlord" and Baltic valda means "rules, governs". Do the similar names CEAWLIN and KAULINs also show an ancient historical connection between the Balts and the British Isles?

Most of these translations and interpretations are new and suggest a more modern understanding of the ancient mythology, astronomy and culture of the Baltic peoples, who, according to the recently published History of the Baltic Countries (a book subsidized by the European Union) trace their origins back to the Magdalenians, the cave painters of Lascaux... which is e.g. surely why French tu es is the same as Latvian tu esi or French a'dieu may find itself in ar dievu in Latvian. Accordingly, the most ancient Dainas may trace clear back to the earliest origins of modern human civilization.



btw- picts in latvian pronaunces like pikti and that means- the pettish ones lol

Scottish culture has been corrupted by English culture. A culture of binge drinking, vandalism etc etc. But that is the modern culture of Scotland. There are similarities between latvian dress and Scottish dress (traditional) but that is all i can see.

agree

it's only a coincidance

Latvians are really quite different from Scots

you know what really gets me though? when people say Scotland is part of England, its like saying Latvia is part of Russia (which i've heard many times) Scotland is an independant state, although its only a satelite state of England and is entirely dependant on England for financial purposes. Given the oportunity Scotland could sustain itself, but not until its given the chance. Scots are very proud of their country (i'm not)- i'm talking in general hear- and are proud of the traditional culture (probally like Latvians.

yes . strange- I've never thought of Scottish people as English.
must be due to the respect of freedom

probally like Latvians
yes

Well we are getting very full down here now.
So soon the refugees will have to go up to Scotland,& you will all be Heinz 57 :D the same as we will become:(

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Given the oportunity Scotland could sustain itself
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Wish you would hurry up as we are geting broke :D

Heinz 57
?
So soon the refugees will have to go up to Scotland
England has already been sending them up here. :mad:
Wish you would hurry up as we are geting broke
I wish the government would realise that independance is the key to national prosperity. The only parties that would press for independance is SNP (Scottish National Party) and the SSP (Scottish Socialist Party) :( unfortunatly, the so-called Labour party are quite happy in sponging off of England for a while longer. Sooner we become independant the better and sooner we can abolish the Union Jack (i hate that flag, the most pointless flag there is.)
http://www.neist.org.uk/IST/union%20jack.JPG
there is only a 'Great Britain' due to the monarchy, which i am against also. ;)
edit- to get smaller pic of union jack and the most up-dated version.

http://www.sanctuary.yo.lv/1998-028-10.jpg
Latvia abunds in small rivers. They were good for building mills in the past, then - small power stations. How this dead tree came to be in the middle of one - who can tell now... (Pale)
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http://www.sanctuary.yo.lv/1998-029-19.jpg
Salaca is one the most significant rivers here. It is a small one even compared to the big rivers of Latvia, still. And this is the only kind of cliffs we have here - sandstone.
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http://www.sanctuary.yo.lv/1998-029-25.jpg
Pines are among the most significant trees - both because they are the ones you will definitely notice and that you might earn the most on them. Hopefully these will never be cut down for the sake of timber. This is the national park of Mazsalaca.
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http://www.sanctuary.yo.lv/1998-030-02.jpg
Werewolves are known in all European cultures. A legend has it that passing through these pine roots for three times a person canbe turned into a werewolf. Well, of course not in bright daylight.
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http://www.sanctuary.yo.lv/1998-030-01.jpg
Imagine - it's full moon. You throw off your clothes and reciting a secret spell pass three times under the tree. Where would you run first, wolfie?
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http://www.sanctuary.yo.lv/1998-030-04.jpg
This is not the Baltic Sea. It's a lake. Another legend has it that there is a sunken castle in it. People who once lived there had some secret knowledge. Therefore to bring it back up you need to use your wits. And you have to be remarkably good at solving difficult problems. Yet no-one has succeeded... (Burtnieku ezers)
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http://www.sanctuary.yo.lv/1998-030-06.jpg
Died of sorrow... How many nations in how many legends have told a similar story? One such maiden is said to pass these gates when it's full moon. (Burtnieki)
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http://www.sanctuary.yo.lv/1998-030-07.jpg
That's the way of the nature: somebody eats somebody else. But humans are gready, they won't let their chicken be eaten by some falcon or crow. And thus a killed predator must serve as a warning to the others. (A farm in Kirbizi)
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http://www.sanctuary.yo.lv/1998-030-14.jpg
The last offerings ot some deities were left in these caves as late as 1830's (if you don't caunt me in:p). The peasants carved their property signs in the walls of the cave. The barons just signed. Fortunately they remembered to add also some dates. So we can maintain that these caves were known already in 1642 (see the numbers on the cave wall!). (River Svetupe - 'The Holy River' - near Kuikule)
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http://www.sanctuary.yo.lv/1998-030-16.jpg
This is what it looks like inside. The caves are tens of metres long. Still it's not pleasant to enter as they become narrower and narower and you catch yourself at being afraid to get stuck in some turning. Maybe it's just the darkness and people's fear of it.
=======================================
http://www.sanctuary.yo.lv/1998-031-09.jpg
Also this is Latvia. The good days are gone for rather many farms, mills, other buildings. Only the old landlords keep returning to the remains of what was once their beloved and fostered land. Well, there's not much ghosts can do... (Pale)

The general truth in all the legends - no-one expects some extraordinary things to happen by day. Is it really the time of the dark forces to come out or it's just our fantasy running wild, when our senses are tired and blocked by the darkness. We consider darkness itself some evil. Is it? Just think of the owls - they live by night. And are regarded as symbols of wisdom by the ancient people. What role here is played by the darkness?


some more
http://sanctuary.yo.lv/Private010.jpg
http://sanctuary.yo.lv/Private020.jpg
http://sanctuary.yo.lv/Private024.jpg
http://sanctuary.yo.lv/Private025.jpg
http://sanctuary.yo.lv/Private023.jpg
http://sanctuary.yo.lv/Private027.jpg

57 Verities in one make!Work it out. :D
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England has already been sending them up here.
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You are part of the EU as we are so you should get your fair share
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The only parties that would press for independance is SNP (Scottish National Party) and the SSP (Scottish Socialist Party)
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Whish I could vote for them.:rolleyes: Scotland costs us so much money its beyond belief.
We could get out of debut to the USA.
:(

Why don't you start a Scotland thread:D
Adam started one for Australia:):cool:

Nice pics!

o.k, but noone will take any interest and scotland aint as interesting as Latvia. Also, the pictures dont load Avatar. :(

Why don't you start a Scotland thread
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Yes sorry about that Avatar.
Its not worth the bother,he lives on a tiny little island & wants to make it into two countries.
If he does I hope they take back all the Scots men from Ireland,then we will have no more bombs!as what the Irish call the English out there are really Scotts!
:(

the pics don't load for me also:(
must be a bandwight restriction:mad:
I'll put them on another server

edit- I hope the new provider doesn't notice huge bandwight overloads lol
I hope they work now:)

Cool photographs Avatar, i like the one of the caves, looks interesting.

Avatar, first off, Thank You for replying. It has been very interesting so far. I have learn't alot from you. All I knew about Latvia before this is where it was and that it used to be part of the Soviet Union. Oh, and they beat Russias ass in hockey. GO LATVIA.

Nightlife

Riga is very quickly earning the reputation of the city with the most boisterous night life in the Baltics. However, just like in most large cities, it is best to stick to the centre if you`re on foot, but keep your windows closed and eyes pealed if you are driving. While the crime rate here is nothing exceptional, we must caution you not to tempt fate.
Awesome new clubs continue to baffle us with their grandeur, the late scene is practically bubbling over with tempting discos, casinos and cabaret bars. Your head might feel (and in the less fortunate cases look) slightly akin to a discarded cymbal of an over-zealous drummer by the end of an eventful jaunt, but it`s well worth the experience! Here`s where we try to jato boost your nocturnal adventure and hurl you in the right direction!


Nightlife / Adult entertainment

Bingo
[I live next door to it, but never been there actually lol,
not my style]

This dark, yet cosy club is just the right size and has absolutely nothing to do with the noisy game machines you will encounter on the ground floor. It`s hard to give Bingo a "name" - this is neither a strip-club, nor a disco, a restaurant or a cabaret, but a fine mixture of their best qualities. The cleverly balanced programme allows guests to dance to late 80s and 90s hits and new Russian pop and occasionally take "time-outs" to watch brief, but electrifying performances by sensual exotic dancers.
Main location:

48/50 Brivibas iela (D-6),
tel. 728 05 27,
21.00 - 05.00.



Black Cat
The Black Cat offers topless shows, live music, a restaurant, disco- music and a bar.

Main location:

2 Terbatas iela (D-6)
(in Vernisaza complex),
21.00 - 06.00.
Casino open 14.00 - 06.00.


Jockey Club
Every night this grand club hosts some of the hottest super-shows in town with girls stunning enough to blow your socks right off! An absolutely voluptuous experience! Comfortable restaurant and a stylish bar are at your disposal, if you are still up to it.

Main location:

49 Elizabetes iela (D-6),
tel. 722 88 44,
20.00 - 06.00.


Klubs 3
The enchanting girls will keep you mesmerized all night long with their allure!

Main location:

22/24 Grecinieku iela (J-1/2),
tel. 722 67 50,
20.00 - 05.00.


Mirage

This night club is a perfect place to watch beautiful girls dance who will dance with you if you wish so. Topless show all night long and if you want more you can even order a private one. Friendly service and attentive manager who will solve all your problems.

Main location:

(in hotel Riga)
22 Aspazijas bulv.,
tel. 721 62 25,
21.00 - 05.00;
admission 5Ls.



Sezams

Non-stop girls and boys super show coupled with a casino and a bar in Arabian surroundings. Not quite Baghdad but the next best thing, you may need a cool shower afterwards!

Main location:

32 Caka iela (D-7),
(Caka street is the red light street, you have to be careful there)
tel. 728 87 81,
20.00 - 04.00.


Studio 69
Excellent entertainment in this high-ceilinged night club. The club boasts great food and some 24 professional dancers for your pleasure. The scorching topless shows that take place every 20 minutes are likely to keep you sizzling in your seat `till the wee hours!

Main location:

96 Brivibas iela (C-8),
21.00 - 06.00.
Admission 5Ls.



Nightlife / Music clubs




Alcatraz (Pelican Pub)

Who would have thought that one day people would be storming the doors to get in, huh? Just kidding, it`s not that crowdy yet - now is the time to make up your mind whether or not to add this club to your favourite hang-out list, as entrance for the time being is traditionally (like the original!) free of charge. The staff scurries about in prison wardrobe managing to remain cheerful whilst bidding their time. You can`t stay indifferent to the hazy graffiti paintings that adorn the walls of the dance hall, check out the Latvian biker in New York! A separate room for banquets and celebrations is available and a restaurant is also at your service. Live country, blues and rock`n`roll Fri and Sat.

Main location:

88 K. Barona iela (C-8),
tel. 729 49 84,
11.00 - 06.00.


Austrumu Robeza (Eastern Border) (Kabata)

This retro joint possesses an overwhelming personality, provocative or thrilling depends on your views, but one thing`s for sure - it hits you like a sledge! The scantly romantic atmosphere is complemented by the scrutinising stares of Hitler and eons of Russia`s prominent "tyrants", immortalised in polished brass busts supported by velvet cushions and set upon high pedestals around the tenebrous room. On the other hand, museum-going tourists will be delighted to learn that there is an alternative "war museum" to check out - try getting through Kabata`s "Eastern Boarder"! The military camouflage walls and ceiling, the omniscience of brainwashing Socialist slogans and the used MG rounds issued in the garderobe leave their mark on a peaceful mind. WWII documentaries, antique artefacts and a diverse menu make this club an educational, yet fun experience.

Main location:

8 Vagnera iela,
tel. 781 42 02,
08.30 - 24.00.


Bluzs
The Blues club has reopened in another location, find the entrance through cafe Lendora and go to the second floor.

Main location:

59/61 K. Barona iela,
tel. 727 89 76,
12.00 - last guest.
Thr, Fri, Sat live music starting at 19.00.




Brivie Vanagi (Free Hawks) - Pie Mazina
[note- It's a bikers hangout]

Some of the patrons have the wild "if-you-don`t-like-me-bite-me" attitude, which goes well with this joint`s leathery feel. It`s all right if you don`t ride, just don`t wear a suit or go tarnishing anyone else`s "horse of steel` and you`ll probably make it out unscathed and unbitten.

Main location:

35 Tallinas iela (B-8),
tel. 227 52 15,
10.00 - last guest.
Closed Sun.
Fri live music,
Sat striptease from 23.00.



Casablanca

In the basement of the Moroccan restaurant you can also enjoy funky, jazzy, disco and house music. Programme: Wed - Jaffa Riga, Thr - Varka Crew, Fri - AG&Raitis, Sat - Toms&Zagga.
Main location:

1 Smilsu iela (H-2),
08.00 - last guest.
URL:
www.casablanca.lv
e-mail:
sabine@casablanca.lv



Cetri Balti Krekli - Literature & music club (4 White Shirts)
[once some guys weren't let in because they were inapropriatery (sp) dressed]

Named after a Latvian movie, which was banned in the Soviet era. Rising and well-known Latvian bands perform here live, but all music played in this joint is 500% Latvian. So if you have the tympanic fortitude and seek an unforgettable Latvian thrill, this is the place to be, if you are lucky enough to fit into the 10% of foreigners whom they admit, as the voice-control is tight - can you say "labvakar" without an accent?

Main location:

12 Vecpilsetas iela (J-3),
tel. 721 38 85,
12.00 - 02.00,
Fri, Sat 12.00 - last guest.
Admission 1-04Ls.


Cita Opera (A Different Opera)

This basement restaurant, pricey cocktail bar and disco are very popular with the Latvian and expat crowd. Karaoke on Wed from 21.00, some people have a little talent, for the rest, have a drink too many and bring your ear plugs! On other days, very good dance music every day from 21.00.

Main location:

21 Raina bulv. (E-6),
tel. 722 07 70,
from 12.00.


DECO Bar
One of the most "in" and sophisticated bars for the young, rich and beautiful. DJs play funky tunes on Friday and Saturday evenings, when it gets so crowded you can sometimes barely enter. See also Cafes and Bars.

Main location:

(in Berga Bazars)
84/1 Dzirnavu iela (E-7),
tel.728 92 41,
11.00 - last guest.


Depo

To be opened in 16 March.
Metro has closed, but don`t fall into despair. Guntis Vanags, one of the two owners of the Metro is going to continue the good traditions in a new, bigger venue with upgraded facilities such as improved ventilation and chill-out spaces. For those of you who prefer underground electronic music and jazz, serious house and techno - this is definitely going to be THE club.

[up to date- it's open now and it's a great club. Industrial style design, cool]

Main location:

32 Valnu iela
URL:
www.klubsdepo.lv
e-mail:
depo@klubsdepo.lv



Eddies Club
This club situated in the former Vernisage is named after the manager Eddie Gee who has travelled from London to Riga to share some of his 27 years experience in the entertainment business. The idea of Eddie is to attract a more elite clientele than the former 15kW sound disco. For example, "The Majestic Lounge", situated on the upper level offers a snobby chill-out with the finest cognacs and brand quality cigars.


Main location:

2 Terbatas iela,
tel. 709 24 00,
Thr, Fri, Sat 20.00 –05.00.
Admission strictly over 21`s. 3-5 Ls.



Hamlets

Inspired by Shakespeare`s play this club/theatre is run by the Latvian Actors` Association and presents a variety of shows and plays by a host of well-known actors, musicians and dancers. On Thr drama performances on political issues and themes are played. Every Mon, Fri and Sun evening from 21.00 until 23.30, the Swing Time Ensemble proudly present the Swing Time Jazz Club.

Main location:

5 Jana Seta (I-2),
2nd floor,
tel. 722 99 38,
19.00 - last guest.



Hollywood Star Disco

Two-story dance bar with a 15m long bar and 25 TV screens hanging over it. Caged go-go girls are dancing for your entertainment. After trying the "1000$" cocktail - it`s actually 4Ls, so you can close your mouth again - watch the barmen perform their free-style show, swirling and spinning their glasses and shakers. Still not enough? OK, how about a Pamela Anderson cocktail to bring you in the mood? Hey, for only 5Ls she`ll be yours!

Main location:

2 Skolas iela (D-6), [don't venture further in skolas street from there. Although it's at the very centre , it's a bad idea to be at it's far/middle end after 10]
tel. 724 22 89,
Thr, Fri, Sat 21.00 - 06.00.
Admission: 5Ls,
free entrance on Thr and on Fri, Sat before 23.00.


Kabata (The Pocket)

This "Pocket" doesn`t slyly claim to contain the whole of Riga, but it is certainly teeming with the local Latvian youth. Kabata is a really cool place to meet friends for a fun night. Descend several levels into the cellars and head-bang with the local rock bands that play here on most evenings!

Main location:
19 Peldu iela (J-2),
12.00 - 17.00, 18.00 - 05.00.

Kalku Varti

The downstairs club of this centrally located restaurant is actually a spacious wine cellar, uncovered whilst digging the fundaments for this new establishment. Enjoy Latvian rock and blues, performed live by Latvian bands, in a classy atmosphere.

Main location:

11 Kalku iela (I-2),
tel. 722 45 76,
20.00 - 01.00,
Thr, Fri Sat 12.00 - 05.00.
Closed Sun, Mon.
Admission for people over 25: 3Ls.
Free entrance Tue, Wed.


Karakums

Africa-inspired murals portray everything from mystical masks to funky cacti that are reminiscent of some spaced-out geckos on a good night. Drinks are cheap, so get ready for many a good night in this joint!

Main location:

18 Lacplesa iela (D-7),
tel. 728 22 87,
14.00 - last guest.



Karaliskas Bites Bluza Klubs (Royal Bee Blues Club)

New blues club where Riga`s best blues bands perform live. They are yet to get their prices right - they are in the wrong part of the Universe to be meddling with astronomical figures.

Main location:

34a Dzirnavu iela (C-6),
12.00 - 01.00,
Fri, Sat 12.00 - last guest.


Saksofons (The Saxophone)
[don't advice for forigners, you may get other prices and jokes like that]

Saksofons` remodelled look comprises of a larger and brighter interior and an absurd piece of the "antique" Russian GAZ automobile sticking out of the wall. Various artistic talents give shows and performances here, the main attraction, however, still lies in the local bands that daily play funky live music (mainly rock flavoured). Mostly Russian speaking service, but the affable staff is usually willing to try a little "charade" with their "dumb" foreign customers!

Main location:
43 Stabu iela (D-7),
tel. 731 28 54,
12.00 - 02.00.




[B]Nightlife / Night clubs


Dizzi House Music Club

DIZZI House music club invites to a journey into the best of house and garage music delivered by the finest of local house djs Bogdan Taran, Crumar, DSP, Rudd, Display every friday, saturday and sunday, as well as massive drum` n` bass, jungle and breakbeat allnighters on thursdays featuring best local drum`n` bass djs courtesy of Bio.codes recordings, Varka crew, Jungle.lv, and others. The club itself represents a very friendly and happy atmosphere and has one of the best small-club sound systems in Latvia. The other features include a bar, a free drink for every visitor, regular video- art performances and all the way thru positive vibes.

Main location:

DIZZI House Music club
Maarstalju str.10 (entrance from Alksnaja street)
t. 7221902
thursday-sunday 20:00-06:00


La Rocca
[many russians and very loud]

The former Operetta theatre was revamped into a massive, contemporary dancehall featuring all the latest "screams" in laser and sound technology. If aggressive, mainstream dance music is your "thing" and you find go-go dancers an enticing allure, you will love La Rocca that has both of these "in Spades". In the evenings, certain local radio stations such as Mix FM often broadcast live from the disco. Check out the newest attraction: the Hear Rock Cafe, where local bands play live music.

Main location:

96 Brivibas iela (C-8),
Fri, Sat, Sun 22.00 - 09.00.
Admission 3-5Ls.


M808

Riga`s BEST DJs flock and spin their funky vibes here, rendering this joint its unique effervescent atmosphere. Fridays and Saturdays from 21.00, the best Latvian DJs bring you garage, house, techno, drum `n` bass industrial. Our only wish is for it to get bigger! Drinks are reasonably priced.

Main location:

5 Lacplesa iela (C-6),
tel. 724 06 33,
Fri - Sat, from 21.00.
URL:
m.808.lv


Mirage

This elegant night-club also boasts a casino and attracts mostly a mature opulent clientele. You can savour a fine meal while watching spicy shows (on Fridays and Saturdays from 24.00 until 01.00). Original art works and sculptures perfect the phantasm. Friendly service. Excellent place for lone gentlemen who wish to turn a new leaf, the attentive manager will gladly assist you in your quest. On weekends reservation advisable.

Main location:

(in hotel Riga)
22 Aspazijas bulv. (I-3),
tel. 721 62 25,
19.00 - 05.00.
Admission 5Ls.



Nautilus

The 12kW sound and coruscating lasers mounted over the dance- floor put a person standing inches away out of ear-shot, but don`t despair, a chill-out room and a comfy VIP-zone are at your disposal should you require a quiet spot. Nautilus is designed like a futuristic submarine and is mostly submerged under the chaotic waves of house, funk and other dance-compelling music. It is an aspiring house Mecca with DJs Vetroff, Taran and Smile leading the "sermon". Programme: Wed 22.00 - The day of all students. Admission 1-2Ls); Thr - Disco. Admission 1-2Ls, entrance for girls free until 23.00; Fri 22.00 - start of the weekend. The best brand new club music from all over the world. Admission 3-5Ls; Sat 22.00 - All Times Favourites. All night long, together with the new entries, listen to the best hits of the Club Era for the past 10 years. Admission 3- 5Ls; Sun 22.00 - Weekend Hits. The results of the club weekend. Admission 2Ls.

Main location:

8 Kungu iela (J-2),
tel. 781 44 77,
fax 781 44 66,
22.00 - 08.00.
Admission 1-5Ls,
face and dress control.



Pulkvedim neviens neraksta (Nobody writes to the Colonel)

Definitely the place to visit! Named after Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel and artistically designed, this is a favourite and hippest hang- out for the alternative crowd. Music varies from punk to fusion and acid jazz. Check the programme at the entrance for an insight on the DJ`s demeanour. Programme: Tuesday nights - Pipe Dreamz (abstract vibes, deep house) Dj AG & Raitis +Varka Crew; Thr - underground punk rock live and ska by DJs; Fri - old school, alternative and ethnic music; Sat - ska, reggae.
Admission Tue, Wed, Sat 1Ls, Fri 2Ls.

Main location:

26/28 Peldu iela (J-2),
tel. 721 38 86,
12.00 - 02.00,
Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 12.00 - 05.00.



Roxy

The electrifying vibes of this sizzling night-club mostly draw posh party die-hards to the funk scene. Eurodance and Russian pop rule the dance floor; they are displaced by more tranquil rhythms in the wee hours.

Main location:

24 Kalku iela (I-2),
tel. 722 40 41,
23.00 - 06.00.
Admission 5Ls.


Slepenais Eksperiments (Secret Experiment)

Industrial design: steel pipes and bare brick define the interior. Attracts an energetic horde of grinning bipeds known to the rest of the world as Latvian teenagers.

Main location:

15 Skunu iela
(entrance from Amatu iela) (I-2),
tel. 722 79 17,
17.00 - 05.00.


Voodoo

Having survived yet another day of the city`s foul odours and heroically inhaled your share of CO and SO2 car emissions, why not throw a party for your lungs in the Baltics` first "Oxygen bar"? Get an O2 cocktail boost at the bar and now that you`re in the right frame of mind, welcome to the jungle, baby! A variegated Southern- Africa inspired interior featuring a myriad of masks and murals. The complex consists of: the Vodka bar - vending the exclusive Voodoo vodka; the Voodoo Tower Casino - the first theme casino of this kind, decked out in a specific style, in this case, Africa, that sports unique bamboo playing tables; the Voodoo disco - where techno is strictly outlawed and people chill out to 70s, 80s flowery funk and Latino vibes, expertly spun by the Irish ex-BBC radio DJ.
Main location:

(in Reval Hotel Latvija)
55 Elizabetes iela (D-6).
tel. 777 23 55
Vodka bar 08.00 - 05.00;
Casino 12.00 - 05.00,
Disco 20.00 - 05.30.
Closed Mon, Tue, Wed
Admission 4-5Ls;
Nightclub 20.00 - 05.30.
Admission: 5Ls.
URL:
www.voodoo.lv

You don't seem to enjoy any of it. You're always here:D

Actually I have DSL so my connection is almost all time on and there is also truth that I find more pleasure in somehow intellectual talks with sciforumers than hang out in a strip club.

I'm more the lone wolf type person, don't like big parties.

http://www.li.lv/images/Mezs.jpg

Latvia is among the few countries left in the world where natural ecosystems, largely untouched by man, still thrive in over 50 percent of its territory. It is a haven for the tourist who seeks to experience a land where nature and tradition have coexisted in harmony from time immemorial.

The country that we today call Latvia has long attracted foreigners – at first, invaders of all kinds, and later travellers and adventure seekers. For example, since the 1830s the region surrounding the city of Sigulda has been called the “Switzerland of Vidzeme” by German travellers who compared the sandstone banks of Sigulda’s Gauja valley with those of the Elba river in Saxony.

http://www.li.lv/images/GNP.jpg
The Gauja valley

Unfortunately, in the 20th century Latvia suffered through two world wars, and from 1940 until 1991 it was occupied and isolated behind the Iron Curtain by the Soviet Union. As a result, Latvia has been relegated to a “blank spot” on modern European and world tourist maps. Today, this largely unknown land is waiting to be discovered, ready to be revealed as the colorful mosaic that is Latvia.


Diversity

Where else can one find greater diversity? In Latvia you will find primordial wilderness areas characteristic of Scandinavia, a rich cultural heritage comparable to Middle Europe and a countryside of pastoral serenity.

Latvia – a land of diverse terrain where plains interchange with hillocks and river valleys. It is stately forests, broad marshes and clear waters. It is meadows, fields, groves, alleys, gardens and parks. Together these features form a unique mosaic that is the landscape of Latvia. It is a haven for the tourist who loves nature, respects tradition and has an interest in the culture of the local inhabitants. It is a place for those who enjoy social interaction and value the sense of achievement that comes from active approach to relaxation.

The Green Heart of Europe

If the territory of Latvia were magically transported to the heart of Western Europe, and the “blank spot” filled with its natural colors, what would be the result? We would see a territory resembling a nature preserve or national park, surrounded by the highly urbanized landscape of modern Europe.

Few countries remain in the world whose territories are dominated by ecosystems largely untouched by man. Where forests, marshes, lakes and rivers have developed over the centuries at their own pace, with minimal human interference. Where pristine sandy beaches stretch for 300 km unspoiled by resorts, restaurants or hordes of holidaymakers. No where else in Europe will you find such a large population of the black stork and the lesser spotted eagle. They represent 10% and 12% respectively, of the world population of these rare species.

Within 64,589 sq.km of territory, you will find hundreds of wolves and lynxes, 4,000 otters and 50,000 beavers.

World Wars I and II, and a brutal communist regime exacted a heavy price on human life throughout Latvia, leaving a present day population density of 38 inhabits to 1 sq.km. But nature has thrived, filling the gap left by the horrors of war.

http://www.li.lv/images/mstarkis1.jpg

http://www.li.lv/images/mstarkis.jpg
The rare black stork


Forests

Latvian forests are located in a mixed forest zone consisting of northern coniferous and southern deciduous trees. You will find a pine forest next to a linden tree forest, and throughout a diverse spectrum of other species. Because of the unique climate and terrain nearly one quarter of Latvia’s forests grow on wetlands. Many plant and animal species which can only survive in constant habitats have found a home here. It is the existence of the wetlands forests that insures a high standard of biological diversity. About 10% of Latvia’s forests meet the criteria for a natural forest. Latvia’s forests also harbor a rich supply of berries, wild strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and loganberries. The berry-picking season lasts from late June until late September. It is also the time for gathering mushrooms. The most popular mushrooms are the edible boletus, orange cap boletus, chanterelles and rusulla. If in the 1930s Latvia was known for its butter and bacon exports, then today it is known for its export of chanterelles. Apart from clearly marked private lands, the wealth of Latvia’s forests, berries, mushrooms and hazelnuts is accessible to anyone.


The Coast

The sea and coastal zone, which stretches 494 kilometres along the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga, is an important part of the Latvian landscape. Sand dunes of up to 32 metres, sandy beaches, rivers and their estuaries, forests, marshes and lakes form a continuous ecosystem that has developed as a result of interaction of the land and sea.

During the 50-year Soviet occupation most of the coast was a restricted area because it was considered a frontier zone. Commercial and recreational activity within this area was restricted. Today, this zone is still home to picturesque fishing villages that appear to have stepped out of a page in history. These villages were originally settled by the Livs, an ancient Finno-Ugric tribe that lived along the Baltic coast.

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coast line, gulf of Riga

Coastal fishing traditions are essential part of Latvian culture. A fishing expedition with local fisherman, including preparation of the catch, can be an unforgettable experience. The fragrance of smoked fish is the unmistakable calling card of a coastal fishing village.

The small harbors, which were neglected during the Soviet era, are once again coming to life and await yachtsmen. Sailing from harbor to harbor it is possible to traverse nearly half of Latvia.

Unique natural areas have survived in coastal lowlands, one of these being Pape Lake and its surrounding environment. It is a typical 1,200 ha coastal lake. Rare species of birds, such as the bearded tit, common and little bittern, the corncrake, the hen harrier, the little and spotted crake nest in the lake and its surroundings. The lake and the nearby Nida marsh are important stopovers for bean and white-fronted goose and curlews during migration. The lakeshore boasts one of the few bird-watching towers in Latvia. Millions of land dwelling birds and thousands of migratory bats travel through the strip of dry land between Lake Pape and the Baltic Sea every year.


Marshes

Compared to other European countries, marshes take up a significant proportion of Latvia. 4.9% of Latvia’s territory consists of open marshes. 70% of this marshland is largely undisturbed by human activity. Within these territory there are more than 20 protected plant species.

There are at least 15 species of birds that nest in marshlands, including the crane, golden plover, black grouse, whimbrel, merlin and peregrine. During periods of bird migration the marshes are important resting place for cranes and geese. There are 10 insect species and a rare species of snails. Marshes are also highly valued by berry pickers for the wide range of berries that grow there, including cranberries, cloudberries, cowberries and bilberries.


Teici State Reserve. It covers an area of 190 sq.km and is the largest protected marsh in the Baltic. A raised bog covers the larger part of the territory but there are also 19 lakes, hollows, mineral soil islands, fens, swamps, and natural meadows. The most intensive peat creation process in Latvia can be observed here. It also has the largest concentration of pre- migratory cranes in Latvia. An ancient Russian village of Russian Oldbelievers (people who hold to the Russian Orthodox as well as old pagan beliefs) still exists on one of the marsh islands. The marsh can only be entered in the company of a guide

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one of our biggest marshes - Tirelpurvs

Lakes and Rivers

Latvia has over 12 thousand rivers that stretch for 38,000 kilometres, as well as 2,256 lakes with a collective area of 1000 sq.km. Eastern Latvia, where many of these lakes are found, is known as the Land of the Blue Lakes. Nearly all inland waters are pollution-free and ideally suited for swimming and fishing. Although some of Latvia’s rivers have had their courses straightened, most large and medium size rivers retain their natural contours. As a result, their banks are home to such now rare European wildlife as otter, beaver and common kingfisher. Latvia is one of the few places in the Baltic Sea region where natural salmon spawning areas still remain. There are plenty of rivers suitable for canoeing and rafting.

Gauja National Park. The Gauja - Latvia’s longest river, extremely popular with tourists because none of its 452 kilometres has been regulated from its original course. For 90 kilometres the Gauja flows through an ancient river valley that is the heart of the Gauja National Park. Nowhere else in Latvia will you find so many steep banks, ravines, streams, sandstone and dolomite cliffs, and caves, as in the ancient Gauja river valley with its tributaries.

Like other national parks in the east of the Baltics, the Gauja National Park includes natural territories relatively untouched by man, as well as historic rural landscapes, and important ancient monuments. The park also offers walking trails, observation points, rest places, well established camping facilities, car parks, cafes, various types of tourist cabins, information centers and the services of knowledgeable guides.

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the Gauja river



Rural Farms

The soul of Latvia is revealed in the typical rural farmyard, where one lives in harmony with nature’s laws and rhythms. It is a place where ancient traditions are respected and annual festivals are joyously celebrated.

On Ligo eve (Summer solstice) the traditional bonfire is lit in almost every yard. Ligotaji (the celebrants of the festival) who, during the day have gathered colorful Janu zales (field flowers), head off in pairs to seek the legendary secret fern blossom that blooms only once a year on this night. The single family farm is an integral part of the Latvian landscape. Many still look just as they did centuries ago.


The Latvian landscape is also unimaginable without its stately old trees, usually oaks that are several hundred years old and can be found in farmyards as well as in the fields. Here as well, Latvia has become home to 9,000 pairs of white storks. Today, an increasing number of farmers are opening their farms to tourists. More than 100 farms offer bed and breakfast services and a variety of leisure activities.

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Protected Nature Areas

Latvia has a long tradition of nature conservation. The first laws and regulations concerning the use of forests were passed as early as the 1500s and 1600s. However, in the 1800s an effort was made to reforest the Baltic coastal dunes and the Gulf of Riga. In the 1900s proposals for conservation areas were initiated. The first protected area in Latvia was in the Kurzeme region - an island - Moricsala in the Usma Lake.

At present 6.8 % of Latvian natural territories are protected by law. There are five nature reserves, two national parks, and 240 protected areas (nature parks, protected landscape areas, restricted areas and biosphere reserves). Together, these places make up Latvia’s natural heritage, which awaits the visit of the keen eco-tourist, and offers a wealth of experience.

Text: Valdis Pilats, The Gauja National Park
Photographers: A.Eglitis, J.Pigoznis, V.Pilats, J.Zalans

Great pictures you've been posting, Latvia looks great. :)

Russians in Latvia at the Time of the Russian Empire

1. The History of the Russian Population in the Territory of Latvia
The history of Russians in Latvia is quite long - about a thousand years. Russian and Livonian chronicles state that the first Russian merchants came here as early as the XII-XIII centuries. But up to the time of Latvia’s complete incorporation into Russia in 1795, the Russians made up a very small part of the population here.

The most complete picture of the Russian population in Latvia at the time of the Empire is given by the First All-Russia Census of 1897. According to its data, at the end of the XIX century there were quite a number of Russians in Latvia - 171 thousand people spread unevenly on its territory. The biggest number of Russians, some 77 thousand, lived in Latgale, 68 thousand (5% of total population) - in Vidzeme. The smallest part of the Russian population lived in Kurzeme and Zemgale - 26 thousand (3.89% of total population). By the end of the XIX century Russians had become the second biggest nationality in Latvia after the Latvians themselves.

In urban areas of Latvia the Russian population was twice as large as in the country. 'Re only exception was Latgale where the number of city dwellers was only half as large as that of country dwellers. Half of the Russian population of Vidzeme, Kurzeme and Zemgale came from the nearby provinces of Russia. And in the Rezekne district of Latgale, for example, 10% of Russians had come from other provinces. The biggest number of newcomers came from the neighbouring provinces of the Empire - those of Kaunas, Vitebsk and Vilnius.

Like all the other Eastern Slays of Latvia, Russians differed from other national groups with their high natural increment of population.

In their social structure Russians differed from most of the nationalities of Latvia. The biggest social group among them were peasants (54%), and they made up the majority of Russians in Latgale. Middle classes made up 35% and hereditary and personal noblemen made up 8%. As far as their group characteristics are concerned, Russians were much like the Latvian Poles but differed from the Latvians who were mainly peasants and from the Germans who belonged mainly to the middle class.

Formation of the quite large Russian national group in Latvia was due to several reasons. In the XIX century a large amount of Russian capital was invested in trade through the Baltic countries. The profits from this trade became the basis of a number of Russian owned manufacturing establishments. When Russia acquired Latvia, some Russian noblemen became landowners here. From the middle of the XIX century the highly developing industry of Latvia began to attract Russian workmen. The biggest social source of Russian newcomers, however, were Russian peasants fleeing from Russia because of widespread religious and social oppression.

The most dynamic social group which began to settle in Latvia were the Russian merchants. Long ago the Polotsk principality and the merchants of ancient Novgorod established trade relations with Riga. Real penetration by Russian merchants became possible after the conquest of Riga by the troops of count Sheremetjev in 1710. But the Russian expansion was restrained by local regulations which strictly limited business activities of those merchants who did not belong to the Riga Merchant Guilds.

By the end of the XIX century, there emerged quite an appreciable group of Russian manufacturers in Latvia. As far back as the beginning of the present century, there was founded the Kuznetsov Porcelain Factory near Riga. A very large number of Russians were employed in brickworks supplying the building industry. The most notable among these manufacturers were E.Nesterov (he had 500 workers in his yards), F.Nesadomov (120 workers), V.Chikov (over 100 workers), Y.Karjakin (about 200 workers). But Russians were not at the head of the local business at that time. For instance, the working share of one worker at the brick-yards made up 259 roubles per annum while the corresponding figure was 120,000 roubles in wine production which was the monopoly of the Germans. There was no Russian large capital investment in foreign trade operations.

A big source of additional population were the Russian peasants. The mass migration of these peasants began in the second half of the XVI century and up to the beginning of the XX century it was sporadic. Its main reasons were religious oppression of Old Believers and a sharp aggravation of the economic position of peasants in Russia resulting, in part, from the conditions of serfdom.

It is difficult to give an exact judgement of the educational and cultural standard of the Russian population in Latvia in Tsarist times. The highest level of literacy - 70% - was the privilege of the Russian orthodox males. The corresponding figures for Old Believers were: men 25%, women 8%. As for the female population in total, the level of literacy of Russian women was the lowest in Latvia at that time.

2. Russian Mentality
Under the conditions of tsarism the dominating trend of Russian mentality in Latvia became the idea of a political nation. Moreover, it were the Russians who were thought representatives of the only political nation in the Empire and bearers of the Russian political system and culture. The ideas of this kind served as ground for exercising, in Latvia, a persistent policy of russification at the time of Alexander III and Nicholas II (mainly before the revolution of 1905- 1907). At the same time Russians tried to distinguish their interests from the interests of the state. Little by little, a certain part of the Russians of Latvia began to consider themselves as one of the many nationalities of Latvia. The Russian daily newspaper “Rizhskij Vestnyik” established the notion of “the needs and wants of the local Russian population”. Since the 1860s there appeared local Russian social organisations. The period of bourgeois reforms of Alexander II stimulated the rise of national consciousness of the Russian population in Latvia. In the elections to town councils and to the State Duma of the Russian Empire local Russians participated on a political basis.

The Russian National "Minority" in the Republic of Latvia

1. The Russian Population in the Republic of Latvia
On November 18, 1918, the Republic of Latvia was proclaimed as an independent democratic state. All the nationalities who lived in the territory of Latvia in the period of foreign rule, got the opportunity to develop as national minorities of the country. Ale Russians lost the status of their ethnic belonging to the Empire, but in Latvia they were given all the rights normally secured by democratic states.

The years of independent Latvia were favourable to the growth of the Russian national group. Not only in the whole of Latvia but in all the historical regions of the country the number of this national minority grew constantly.

According to the first statistical data of 1920 the number of the Russian population at that time was 91 thousand. In 1935 the number of the Russian minority had increased up to 206,4 thousand. During the whole period of independence, Russians remained the biggest national minority of the country. In 1935, the part of Russians in the whole structure of the population of Latvia made up 10.5% (in 1920 - 7.8%).

The growth of the Russian population was due to several factors. The Civil war and the establishment of Soviet power in Russia caused a flow of refugees and emigrants to many countries, Latvia included. According to the Peace Treaty between the Latvian Republic and Soviet Russia, some lands of the Pskov province with a large number of Russians passed on to Latvia. But the main cause of the Russian population growth was their high natural birth rate. For example, in 1929 the natural increment of Russians was 2.8 thousand, while the natural increment of Latvians, whose total number in that same year was nine times as big as that of Russians, made up only 3.7 thousand.

Russians used to have the biggest number of large families in comparison with other national groups of Latvia. As in the tsarist times, Russians still remained one of the “youngest” ethnic groups of Latvia. The Russian children aged under fourteen made up 14% of the total number of the children of Latvia of the same age. Russian families during the period of independence were characterised by a very high stability. The average number of divorces of Russian families was two times smaller than that of Latvian families and five times smaller than that of German families.

Big changes took place in the structure of the territorial settlement of Russians in Latvia. Three quarters of the Russian population lived in Latgale, 14% in Riga.

In comparison with the tsarist period of the history of Latvia, Russians acquired more “country and agricultural” features and lost those of “town and industry”. The overwhelming majority of Russians were engaged in agriculture (80%). 7% were engaged in industry, 4.9% - in trade. The fact that Russian inhabitants of the country had their farms mainly in Latgale, the least economically developed part of the country, did not stimulate them to social movement towards prestigious kinds of labour and agriculture. In the towns of Vidzeme, Kurzeme, and Zemgale the social picture of Russians approached the all-Latvian one. But even there, Russians did not belong to economically and socially advanced national groups. Russians differed from Latvians, Germans and Jews by a smaller part of property owners and a widespread use of child labour.

The total level of literacy of the Russian population at the very beginning of the history of the Latvian Republic was lower than at the time of the Empire. Only 42% of Russian men and 28% of Russian women of Latvia could read and write in 1920. During the years of independence the number of Russian pupils at schools increased greatly (1.5 times - the highest rate in the period of 1925-1935). As a result, the difference between the number of Latvian and Russian students aged 6-20 was reduced considerably (54% and 47% correspondingly).

Russians were underrepresented in institutions of higher education. In 1920 there were only 65 Russian students at the University of Latvia, in 1939 - 220 students.

For a long time the Latvian Republic tried to integrate the Russian minority on the basis of a large national-cultural autonomy. National schools of Latvia widely used their right to teach children in their mother tongue. Russian schools were not an exception. The Russian language played a particularly important role at the stage of primary education. By the end of the 1920s, 92% of Russian children were being educated at Russian primary schools. The development of the network of secondary schools also took into account the demands of national minorities to receive education in their own language. At the end of the 1920s and the beginning of the 1930s there was an increasing tendency by parents from minority groups to send their children to Latvian language schools. In 1935 60% of Russian children were educated in their mother tongue.

The popularity of the Russian language in Latvia resulted from the fact that Russians did not seek to learn the Latvian language and other minority languages properly.

The Latvian language was not attractive to the Russian population of Latvia. In 1920-1930 only a little more than 15% of Russians could speak and write Latvian. The Latvian milieu of many towns was a good incentive for Russians to learn the Latvian language. 70% of Russian residents of Jelgava and more than 80% of those of Bauska, Valmicra and Kuldiga spoke Latvian.

2. Political life and consciousness of the Russians of the Republic of Latvia
The establishment of the Latvian State, in November 1918, made local Russians work out new principles of their relations with the government. Under the new conditions, the Russians of Latvia be- came a national minority whose special cultural interests were regulated by the Law on the Cultural-National Autonomy of Minorities, adopted by the People’s Council.

Russians of Latvia enjoyed full rights as its citizens and, therefore, took part in the political life of the country. Russians, as a national minority, participated in the elections to the Constituent Assembly of Latvia and to all the four Saeimas.

From two to six per cent of all Latvian electors voted for Russian parties. In the areas highly populated by Russians - Riga and Latgale - more and more Russian electors voted for Russian parties during the whole period of the parliamentary state.

Special historical conditions determined a specific attitude of Russians towards the idea of national-cultural autonomy. They accepted the autonomous character of Russian culture in respect to Latvian culture. But they believed that there was no local autonomy in respect to Russian culture and Russian people in general. Local Russian society did not identify any special features characteristic of local Russians which would differentiate them from the Russians of Russia.

During the period of the Latvian Republic, the local Russian inhabitants tried to work out their own principles of social consciousness. A characteristic feature of the Russian social consciousness was a continuous controversy between adherents of different ideas.

At the beginning of the Republic, 1918-1919, the orthodox wing of the National-Democratic League (N.Bordonos) - the first Russian national union of Riga and, then, of the whole of Latvia - spoke in favour of ethnic purity of Russian social organisations. The liberal wing of the NDL and, later, the Russian Society of Latvia (N.Berejanski, S.Mansyrev) called for a close co-operation by the Russian minority with the whole Latvian society.

From the liberal consciousness of the NDL there emerged some elements of a specific ideology among a part of the Russian population of Latvia – “democratic nationalism”. Its mouthpiece was the publicist Berejanski. He thought that the fate of the Russians of Latvia was not easy. Their historical motherland was in the hands of “Bolshevik internationalism”, the enemy of Russian national culture and ethics. Russians were grateful to democratic Latvia for granting the opportunity to develop their culture. But Russians themselves, N.Berejanski thought, had to strengthen to the utmost, within their consciousness, the notion of national values. The followers of this idea worked on the Russian newspaper “Slovo” (“Word”). At the same time the most famous Russian newspaper “Segodnia” did not pretend to propagate Russian national ideas, but advocated the ideas of defence of the cultural-national autonomy of all minorities.

A flamboyant exponent of Russian national principles was N.Belotsvelov who considered that the conversion of Russians to nationalism was a natural result of the fate of emigrants fearing for the future of their culture.

The ideas of “democratic nationalism” were supported by the leaders of the Russian Peasants’ Union which had a right-wing orientation. The RPU became the basis of the Russian Peasant faction of three deputies in the Fourth Saeima.

A part of Russians belonged to the ultra-left of the political spectrum. (In the Fourth Saeima, one Russian represented the social democrats and one Russian was a communist representative). But the left-wing parties of Russians did not achieve any big success though they had a certain influence among sections of the workers of Riga.

Russians in Occupaied Territory of Latvia in 1940-1990

1. The Russians of Latvia in 1940-1941
In summer of 1940 there began the most tragic events in the history of Latvia. The country lost its independence and was incorporated into the USSR.

The attitude of the Russian milieu towards these events varied. Three kinds of positions can be discerned, in regard to the political changes:
1. A complete disagreement with the Bolshevik regime was characteristic of the Russian inelligentsia and priests.
2. A part of the Russian public of Latvia were under an illusion regarding Stalin's dictatorship, hoping that it would turn into a political system similar to that of the Russian monarchy.
3. A full support for the Bolshevik regime in Latvia. During one year of Soviet power, Russians here were deprived of all their national periodicals, many of the prominent Russian public figures were subjected to repression or killed.

But the new regime also found supporters among local Russians. Russian collective farms emerged in Latvia and there were a large number of Russians in the security services and units of the workers’ guard. The communist nomenclature was being rapidly developed, local Russians taking an active part in it.

2. The Russians of Latvia in 1941-1944
Latvia entered into the Second World War as a part of the USSR. Both Russians and Latvians shared the fate of Nazi policies of oppression.

A part of the local Russian population took part in hostilities against fascism in the Red Army ranks and in the partisan movement, supporting the Communist party.

But, at the same time, there were quite a number of Russians collaborating with the Nazi authorities. They worked on the newspapers propagandising the myth of “a national Russia” free of Bolsheviks and Jews, and “the liberating mission” of the Wehrmacht. Russians were won over to militarised units. The Nazis made advances to those of the Russian population who had suffered from the Bolsheviks. The newspapers of that time were full of information about Russian National culture. In Daugavpils there was opened a Russian theatre, in the Rezekne Teachers’ Institute - a Russian language class for teachers of Russian was set up, etc.

An institution was created for representing the interests of the Russian population of the Generalgebiet of Latvia as well as the Russian Committee for the Affairs of the Russian population of Latvia. These were designed to help Russians with some of their economic, cultural and legal needs.

3. Peculiarities of the post-war migration of Russians to Latvia
After Latvians, the Russians are the largest ethnic group in today's Latvia. In 1989 this national group made up 34,8% of the whole population of Latvia and its total number was 905,5 thousand. In comparison with the demographic situation of the pre-war period, the number of Russians had increased 4.5 times. Their share in the national structure of the population of Latvia had increased 3.5 times.

Such a big growth of the Russian population could not be explained solely by natural increase. The majority of the Russian national group in Latvia today are here as a result of a big migration movement, mainly from Slav republics of the USSR, first of all, from the Russian Federation.

Russians preferred to settle in towns rather than in the country. They tended to choose such big cities as Riga and the like. Russians differed from Latvians in their social and professional characteristics. Over one third of the Russian population were engaged in industry (one quarter of Latvians), 7% of Russians (22% of Latvians) were engaged in agriculture, 1% of Russians (2.5% of Latvians) - in the sphere of culture and art. The percentage of Russians in administration was two times as large as that of Latvians (6.4% and 3%). In other social activities Russians differences were negligible.

Russians were the biggest ethnic group in the USSR both in number and in ideological influence. Under the conditions of Soviet Latvia, Russians dominated the whole non-Latvian population of the Republic. Latvia was the place where consolidation of Russian- speakers on the basis of their mother tongue was successfully put into effect. The Russian language also formed a new group of Russian speaking Byelorussians, Ukrainians, Poles, Jews and Germans of Latvia. And though in the period of 1959-1979 the number of Russians in Latvia increased by 47%, the number of the non-Russian population considering Russian their mother tongue increased by 78%. A highly developed infrastructure was developed in Latvia on the basis of the Russian language (the system of secondary and higher education, science, means of mass media, state-party control of economy and social life).

4. National consciousness of the Russians of the Latvian SSR
During the whole Soviet period, the Russian mass media of Latvia played the part of active bearers of the communist ideology, influencing the consciousness of the Russians of Latvia. That is why this consciousness had purely communist features.

For the whole Soviet period there was no suitable formula at the official level to express national-cultural features of this large group of Latvian residents. The ideology of the Communist party rejected the tradition of the Latvian Republic which identified the Russians of Latvia as one of its national minorities. In the USSR there existed a form of national-territorial autonomy of nations, but not for all nations, which made their social representation in the state bodies unequal and, as a result, their influence on social minds was unequal as well. A nation could be considered “fully-fledged” only if it possessed a state system in the form of a union republic. Therefore, there was only one nation in Latvia - Latvians. The Russians of Latvia, both those who had deep historical roots here, and those who chose it as a place of permanent residence after World War II, having no territorial autonomy, were not considered as an individual cultural and national community in the Republic.

During the almost forty years of the history of the Russian communist consciousness of Latvia there were no new ideas. Such ideas came only with the first marked democratic changes in the USSR at the end of the 1980’s.

The start of democratic processes brought about national awakening of peoples. New democratic tendencies gave equal chances to the national revival of both Latvians and Russians. Some part of Russians actively supported the Latvian awakening. Both individual representatives of the Russian public and some groups of Russians believed that “Atmoda” (Awakenining) should be irreversible. Thus, in July 1988, A.Maltsev was one of the 17 prominent figures of Latvian culture who signed an open letter to the Broadened Assembly of the Latvian Writers' League with the initiative of establishing a democratic People’s Front.

The idea of establishing the Popular Front of Latvia was supported by the Russian writers of the Republic - L.Azarova, R.Dobrovenski, V.Dozortsev and M.Kostenetska, the journalist A.Grigorjev, A.Kazakov, the translator and bibliographer J.Abyzov, and many others. In 1989 L.Gladkov, Y.Dozortsey, V.Zhdanov, V.Kononov and M.Kostenetska were elected to the Council of the People’s Front of Latvia. V.Dozortsev became a member of the Board of the Council of the Popular Front of Latvia. A.Grigorjev was one of the editors of “Atmoda” (Awakening) - the newspaper of the PFL. The circulation of the Russian edition of “Atmoda” was quite big (15 - 100 thousand). It was popular not only with the Russian residents of Latvia but with the democratic public of Russia as well.

The PFL became the basis of consolidation of the Russian Culture Society of Latvia (RCSL). The Constituent Assembly of the RCSL was held on March 4, 1989. The aim of the Society was 'to develop to the utmost the Russian national culture, to intensify traditional Russian-Latvian relations, cooperate with the representatives of all nationalities of the Republic".

But at the same time quite a number of the Russians of Latvia viewed the revival of the Latvian state system with mistrust. This is shown by the results of a public opinion poll in 1989. Only 49% of the non-Latvian population supported the idea of the independence of Latvia (The number of Latvians supporting the idea made up 93%).

“The International Front of the Working People of Latvia”, established in 1989, came out openly against the idea of Latvian independence.

“The Interfront” aimed to win the sympathies of those Russians who were not deeply integrated into the Latvian society, did not speak Latvian and did not prize much the national characteristics of this country.

Russians in the Restored Republic of Latvia

1. Russian remigration
The formation of the Latvian national state was accompanied by a number of political measures which were strategically aimed at the increase of the proportion of Latvians in Latvian society. Evidently, it couldn't be achieved without stimulating a big number of non- Latvians to leave the country. No less important incentive for remigration of Russians, as well as Ukrainians and Byelorussians, was the foundation of the independent states of Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine in 1991 which could provide for a better development of the national identity of these peoples. But, of course, it can't be stated that remigration of Russians was characteristic only of the period of the restored independent Latvia.

In 1991-1992 there was a big leap in the migratory outflow from Latvia. In 1991 the number of people who left the country exceeded by 11.2 thousand the number of arrivals, in 1992 the figure had increased to 47.2 thousand.

Russian remigration from independent Latvia show that it has resulted in the ageing of the Latvian society and the loss of people of working age. While the number of immigrants aged 30-44 and under 18 made up 32% of the total number of immigrants, the same groups made up 61% of the remigrants in 1993.

This broad Russian emigration from Latvia aggravated the problem of their own national identity. There appeared two tendencies in the Russian consciousness. One tendency is stimulating the ethnic consolidation of Russians. The other one, on the contrary, is reducing the intra-ethnic dependence. The second tendency becomes most apparent when a nation does not see any favourable prospects of its development within some national structure, when people consider their ethnicity as an obstacle to achieving social comfort. In this case, many people would prefer to assimilate in the milieu of the socially prestigious and dominating nation. If it is not so easy for themselves, at least, their children might have a chance to do so.

2. Self-consciousness of the Russians in the Republic of Latvia
The restoration of the Latvian Republic took place in the period of the crisis in the Soviet Union, leading to its complete break-up. And the Russian state system began to be restored in its place. For the first time in history there were established such conditions under which Latvia and Russia could coexist as independent and democratic states.

This process had an immediate effect on the minds of the Russians of Latvia. They found themselves in a situation which suggested different norms of behaviour. One of them is a natural desire of people to develop within their own national culture which had had a longstanding support from the state. But taking up this option now meant remigration back to Russia.

The formation of the legal state system in Latvia created conditions for advancing social organisations of the Russian residents of Latvia and of their social initiatives. The most well-known of them is the Russian Community of Latvia (President of the RCL is B.Borisov).

The RCL was founded in 1991 immediately after the recognition of Latvia’s independence by the world community. At the first stage, the Russian Community included 360 members, in 1995 - over 800 members. From the very beginning the RCL determined cultural and social priorities – “creation of an integral real and effective system of different kinds of defence and mutual assistance, both spiritual, moral and material, for all members of the community during their lives”. According to the RCL’s ideology, the consolidating basis of Russians is the Russian language but not their ethnic origin. In the constituent documents of the Russian Community, the idea of the national minority of Russians in Latvia did not meet support. The RCL does not support the official standpoint distinguishing the Russian residents of Latvia by their political status - citizens of the Republic and non citizens, who were previously citizens of the former USSR. Neither does it differentiate ethnic Russians from other Russian-speaking residents of the country.

The Russian Community of Latvia may be considered as reviving those elements of Russian consciousness which were cultivated at the time of the Latvian Republic in 1918-1940. Like in 1920-1930 there is a tendency to develop a Russian social infrastructure. Contemporary Russians appreciate the idea of cultural-national autonomy which had been put into effect in the pre-war Latvia. The RCL is a social organisation rather than a political one, but it has undertaken to strengthen the Latvian state system.

The statutes of the Russian Community of Latvia still reflect, however, the difference between the Russian consciousness of the period of the restored Latvia and that of the pre-war State. At that time, life outside Russia was a tragedy for Russians. They couldn't go home where they could be physically destroyed. The Russians of pre-war Latvia hoped for the revival of the legal Russian state with which the connected their fully fledged development.

Apart from the RCL the most prominent Russian national societies in Latvia are:
1. The Balto-Slavonic society of cultural development and cooperation (the oldest Russian social society in contemporary Latvia, founded in 1988). The BSS includes about 100 members. The Chairman of the BSS is B.Popov.
2.'Tle Latvian society of Russian culture. It was founded in 1989. The membership is about 100. The Chairman is Jury Abyzov.
3. The centre of humanities and education “Yedi” established by the Council of the Old Believers' Community and the Orthodox Eparchy. The President is I.Ivanov.
4. Tle Latvian Foundation of Slavonic Written Language and Culture. It was founded in 1989. 'Re members of the Foundation are the Riga Russian community, the Ukrainian society “Dnipro” and the Byelorussian society “Svitanak”. 7he President of the Foundation is M.Gavrilov.

On June 16, 1995, eleven Russian national-cultural societies and other organisations of the Latvian Republic signed the agreement on the constitution of the Council for the Russian Societies of Latvia. The aim of the constituent agreement is “to promote preservation, study, and popularisation of Russian national traditions and culture, spiritual and ethical values and intellectual and creative heritage of the Russian people”.

Text: Vladislavs Volkovs, the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology

i dont visit other countries for the nightlife; to me this is pointless and does'nt interest me one bit. call me old fashioned if you will, i go abroad to learn about the country and to experience different cultures. So what i'm reading from you that Russians are generally not liked or wanted in your country avatar?

So what i'm reading from you that Russians are generally not liked or wanted in your country avatar?
You speak like wise king Solomon:)

A truly beautiful presentation of our country - you won't regret seeing this - promise

http://www.li.lv/images/kasete.jpg


Latvia is in the heart of Europe and on its way to meet the challenges of the 21st century. This 5-minute video takes you on a musical tour of Latvia today – the people and the very special places that make it one of the Baltic Sea’s natural and cultural treasures.

Featuring the song
“Welcome to my Country” by Brainstorm.

for all you who have DSL's or cables or value quality
Mpeg - 32Mb (http://www.li.lv/video/Welcome_to_Latvia.mpg)

quality suffers and I don't advice you this smaller one
RealMedia - 18Mb (http://www.li.lv/video/Welcome_to_Latvia.rm)


say how you liked it :)

wait-a-minute, you dont work for the Latvian tourist board do you? :D

no
just do my best to represent/present our country

I'm a bloody patriot

I'm a bloody patriot
whats that like then? you arent one of those blind patriots are you? its one thing im not - a patriot

no , I'm not. I see many bad things and I don't like our government and corrupted officials much, but that doesn't hold me back frm loving our country (not government), history, traditions, mythology, nature, culture(although it's far from ideal).
And I'm loyal as weird as it sounds.
Our world has many beautiful countries, many great people are not latvians, but Latvia is my home, I'm a latvian and there's no place like home to be elsewhere found.
stand and fall for it lol

i'm happy for you, i really am. i've never felt like that.

Hey Avatar :D ,
would you be willing to host a bunch of us if we all decided to visit Latvia? I'm thinking about visiting..

P.S. - does Latvia have any Castles? I like castles

Hey Avatar ,
would you be willing to host a bunch of us if we all decided to visit Latvia? I'm thinking about visiting..
,

hey, thats not nice, you dont ask these sort of things......you just turn up. the element of surprise. lol, kidding. i'm hoping to travel when i finish uni.

There are some and there are many mansions owned long ago by the German dukes and landlords

I unfortunately can't host people- student and short of cash. I think that in after some 4 years I could invite some sciforumers who would like to visit Latvia.

I caN totally relate to being short on cash - aren't we all? Some castles huh, and mansions? One more point on the list of reasons to go to Latvia :D

Captain Crunch,
I too plan on extensive travel throughout my life...as soon as i finish goddamned highschool. I believe that the summer between school and university me and a friend are gonna go on a really long bike tour of Europe - from Spain to Moscow we were thinking. It'll be awesome! :cool:

I'm also thinking of joining the Peace Corps after university - that'd be a pretty worldly experience too i think. Though i dunno, anything could go :rolleyes:

none of my freinds are interested in traveling. I've got itchy feet so to speak, i dont feel that i have a purpose when i'm not traveling which unfortunatly only happens once a year. And the rest of the time i feel dead.

I saw no full statistics, and though few would be interested in them, you can't do without them either:rolleyes:
don't notice- continue your discussion:)

Republic of Latvia, abbreviated: Latvia

Latvian: Latvija
Lithuanian: Latvija
Estonian: Läti
German: Lettland
French: Lettonie
Spanish: Letonia

The name "Latvia" originates from an ancient Baltic (Indo-European) tribe - the Latgalians (in Latvian: latgali), who formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people.

Country code: LV

The Republic of Latvia was founded on November 18, 1918. It has been continuously recognised as a state by other countries since 1920 despite occupations by the Soviet Union (1940-1941, 1945-1991) and Nazi Germany (1941-1945). On August 21, 1991 Latvia declared the restoration of its de facto independence. (more...)

Symbols
The flag of the Republic of Latvia
The coat of arms of the Republic of Latvia

Geography
Latvia is the central country of the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). On the world map Latvia is to be found in North-eastern Europe, on the east coast of the Baltic Sea. The landscape of the country is marked by lowland plains and rolling hills. Most of the countryside is less than 100 metres above sea level. There are thousands of rivers and lakes in Latvia.

Area: 64,589 sq.km or 24,937 sq.miles.
Regions: Kurzeme, Zemgale, Vidzeme, Latgale.
Total national border length: 1,862 km.
Length of Latvia’s Baltic coastline: 494 km.
Largest lake: Lubans, 80.7 sq.